Open AccessMechanism of Penicillin-Erythromycin Synergy on Antibiotic-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus
Author(s) -
Norris E. Allen,
Janet K. Epp
Publication year - 1978
Publication title -
antimicrobial agents and chemotherapy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.07
H-Index - 259
eISSN - 1070-6283
pISSN - 0066-4804
DOI - 10.1128/aac.13.5.849
Subject(s) - erythromycin , penicillin , antibiotics , staphylococcus aureus , microbiology and biotechnology , chemistry , bacteria , biology , genetics
Clinically isolated strains ofStaphylococcus aureus that are inducibly resistant to both erythromycin and penicillin were susceptible to a combination of the two antibiotics. The synergistic effect of the combination results from an inhibition of penicillinase induction by erythromycin, sparing penicillin and allowing this drug to inhibit growth. When resistance to erythromycin is constitutive rather than inducible, the combination is no longer synergistic.